By: Hans Themistode
Daniel Jacobs will be looking to return from a supporting performance when he officially takes over the role of John Ryder.
As first reported by Sports Illustrated, both sides have agreed a deal that will put them on the field in the main event on February 12, in London on DAZN.
Ryder, 33, will be looking to build on his current two-fight record when he takes on Jacobs. Following his controversial unanimous decision with Callum Smith in November 2019, Ryder has seen his stock soar. With many in the boxing world believing the rough and rough opponent had done more than enough to claim victory, Ryder simply gave up on the disappointing results to return to two consecutive wins.
In September 2021, his only appearance of the year, Ryder roughly stopped his companion Jozef Jurko on the fifth round of their showdown. Although Ryder has swapped hands with a number of former world champions, including Smith and former two-division star Billy Joe Saunders, Jacobs thinks this could be the toughest challenge of his career.
Since seeing his interim middleweight championship reign come to an end at the hands of Canelo Alvarez in May 2019, Jacobs has successfully made the transition to super-middleweight. Officially, the New York-born player has won in a row with £168. However, his most recent trip to the ring ended in controversy.
Although he was rated a significant favorite against competitor Gabriel Rosado in November 2020, Jacobs struggled very strongly throughout. However, despite what many believed to be a clear victory for Rosado, Jacobs narrowly produced a decisive victory. Soon after, Jacobs admitted that his controversial rivalry with Rosado had clouded his ability to better judge in their competition, leading to his poor performance.
With Jacobs now reunited with longtime head coach Andre Rozier, the former middleweight player will become a leading contender in the 168-pound division with a win over Ryder.
